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Useful Tropical Plants

Boehmeria virgata

(G.Forst.) Guill.

Urticaceae


This is an exceedingly complex, variable and difficult species to circumscribe. We are following the treatment in The old World species of Boehmeria (Urticaceae, tribus Boehmerieae). A taxonomic revision[
1106
Title
The Old World species of Boehmeria (Urticaceae, tribus Boehmerieae). A taxonomic revision
Publication
Blumea 58, 2013: 85-216
Author
Wilmot-Dear C.M. & Friis I.
Website
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/nhn/blumea
Publisher
 
Year
2013
ISBN
 
Description
A comprehensive revision of the genus.
] which subdivides the species into two subspecies (subsp virgata and subsp macrophylla), each of which have a number of vars[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
This record deals with the subspecies virgata, which is found from eastern Indonesia, through Australasia to the Pacific[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

+ Synonyms

Boehmeria platyphylla virgata (G.Forst.) Wedd.

Urtica virgata G.Forst.

Common Name:

No Image.

General Information

Boehmeria virgata is a scandent or erect shrub, or a slender tree with a trunk up to 30cm diameter; it can grow from 1 - 8 metres tall. The plant often has drooping branches[
1106
Title
The Old World species of Boehmeria (Urticaceae, tribus Boehmerieae). A taxonomic revision
Publication
Blumea 58, 2013: 85-216
Author
Wilmot-Dear C.M. & Friis I.
Website
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/nhn/blumea
Publisher
 
Year
2013
ISBN
 
Description
A comprehensive revision of the genus.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild, mainly for its useful fibre which is used locally.
Widespread, in a wide range of habitats and presumed often abundant. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[
1106
Title
The Old World species of Boehmeria (Urticaceae, tribus Boehmerieae). A taxonomic revision
Publication
Blumea 58, 2013: 85-216
Author
Wilmot-Dear C.M. & Friis I.
Website
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/nhn/blumea
Publisher
 
Year
2013
ISBN
 
Description
A comprehensive revision of the genus.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

1106
Title
The Old World species of Boehmeria (Urticaceae, tribus Boehmerieae). A taxonomic revision
Publication
Blumea 58, 2013: 85-216
Author
Wilmot-Dear C.M. & Friis I.
Website
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/nhn/blumea
Publisher
 
Year
2013
ISBN
 
Description
A comprehensive revision of the genus.

Range

Southeast Asia - eastern Indonesia, Philippines, through New Guinea and Australia to the Pacific

Habitat

Very varied: dense or open primary or secondary often wet montane forest and forest edges, clearings,
dry rocky forest, cliffs and rocky riversides; at elevations from 300 - 1,400 metres, sometimes descending almost to sea level[
1106
Title
The Old World species of Boehmeria (Urticaceae, tribus Boehmerieae). A taxonomic revision
Publication
Blumea 58, 2013: 85-216
Author
Wilmot-Dear C.M. & Friis I.
Website
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/nhn/blumea
Publisher
 
Year
2013
ISBN
 
Description
A comprehensive revision of the genus.
].

Properties

Conservation StatusLeast Concern
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitShrub
Height5.00 m
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

Boehmeria virgata has a wide native range from the tropics of Indonesia south to the subtropics of eastern Australia and east into the Pacific.
Species in this genus generally succeed in a warm sandy soil[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
] that is very well-drained[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. This species is found in a wide range of habitats, including wet and dry soils, open positions and deep shade[
1106
Title
The Old World species of Boehmeria (Urticaceae, tribus Boehmerieae). A taxonomic revision
Publication
Blumea 58, 2013: 85-216
Author
Wilmot-Dear C.M. & Friis I.
Website
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/nhn/blumea
Publisher
 
Year
2013
ISBN
 
Description
A comprehensive revision of the genus.
].
A variable species, several sub-species are recognised[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].
Plants in this species are usually dioecious, though monoecious forms also occur.[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A fibre is obtained from the bark[
454
Title
Useful Fiber Plants of the World
Publication
 
Author
Dodge C.R.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
Publisher
USDA; Washington.
Year
1897
ISBN
 
Description
A rather dated, but very comprehensive catalogue of fibre plants from around the world. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. Of excellent quality, it is used for making sacks, bags, rough clothes, nets, rope etc[
61
Title
A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Publication
 
Author
Usher. G.
Publisher
Constable
Year
1974
ISBN
0094579202
Description
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
,
146
Title
A Manual of Indian Timbers.
Publication
 
Author
Gamble. J. S.
Publisher
Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
Year
1972
ISBN
-
Description
First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
,
158
Title
Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur.
Publication
 
Author
Gupta. B. L.
Publisher
Forest Research Institute Press
Year
1945
ISBN
-
Description
A good flora for the middle Himalayan forests, sparsly illustrated. Not really for the casual reader.
,
272
Title
Plants and People of Nepal
Publication
 
Author
Manandhar. N. P.
Publisher
Timber Press. Oregon.
Year
2002
ISBN
0-88192-527-6
Description
Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses.
]. The fibre is shiny, white and strong and is used for making nets, sacks and rough clothes[
272
Title
Plants and People of Nepal
Publication
 
Author
Manandhar. N. P.
Publisher
Timber Press. Oregon.
Year
2002
ISBN
0-88192-527-6
Description
Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses.
]. It is possibly useful for textiles[
158
Title
Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur.
Publication
 
Author
Gupta. B. L.
Publisher
Forest Research Institute Press
Year
1945
ISBN
-
Description
A good flora for the middle Himalayan forests, sparsly illustrated. Not really for the casual reader.
].

The wood is moderately hard but is too small for much use, though it makes a good fuel[
158
Title
Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur.
Publication
 
Author
Gupta. B. L.
Publisher
Forest Research Institute Press
Year
1945
ISBN
-
Description
A good flora for the middle Himalayan forests, sparsly illustrated. Not really for the casual reader.
].

Propagation

Seed - sow in pots and only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out when at least 20cm tall.
Division. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whilst smaller clumps are best planted in a nursery until they are growing away well.
Layering.
Basal cuttings. Harvest new shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade until they are rooting well.
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-03-28. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Boehmeria+virgata>

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